Hi,My regular route is on off road.My altercations are now more likely on off road cycle paths.Mostly dog walkers who do not control their dogs.Ignore all communication in attempts to pass from behind them.Protest that cyclist should not be there.You are going to fast.I Use bell but they ignore you because they can then justify blocking your path.

I have never as much as come close to contacting anyone physically except for when I was commuting home from school 45 years ago a gent walked off pavement straight in to my path, neither was hurt.Squirrels are almost impossible to avoid especially in the dark.I have had many dogs run after me some biting my feet so bounce off the bike and was nearly side swiped and downed last week by a dog crossing my path at speed with no warning.I always cycle at the speed I can stop safely, two last rides on frosty roads at minus temps are precarious but I remain safe first.

Had several altercations with a particular dog for their dog chasing me on more than one occasion.Ended with the owner saying they take no notice of the law with dogs in public place, that is keeping under control.

Its now come to a head where I ignore them completely hoping to not get into anymore altercations.BUT last ride approached said person on cycle path head on, wet and leafy, small path in middle which I and person were sharing all was well and plenty space BUT at last moment when we came close and I had reduced my speed accordingly, said person shoulder barged me

This is the first time anyone has made attempt to touch me (well its second now) whilst I was on the move or stationary.

It was a deliberate barge.

I am not sure what to do now apart from report in case it escalates into something more serious.

The person is 65-70.

I stopped and said what was that for? Said person replied...."you would not give ground"

Well I did not need to as we not on same path we were avoiding each other or so I thought.

Sick to my back teeth of people in public spaces abusing me, for no reason other than being there.

If it was a deliberate barge you should have dialled 999 and reported an assualt and if you are not actually hurt feign an injury like rib or something that medics can’t challenge directly so that it gets some attention by the police. I’m not saying that the police will be able to do anything (he says you says syndrome) but not to report it gives your protagonist the feeling that he is in the right somehow. In some way he needs to be made to realise that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated - I’m sure he will lie through his back teeth that somehow you initial the situation in some way, brazen that out or he will forever remain the bully boy. You might be surprised that he has a track record of such actions that the police already know about.

Barks wrote:If it was a deliberate barge you should have dialled 999 and reported an assualt and if you are not actually hurt feign an injury like rib or something that medics can’t challenge directly so that it gets some attention by the police. I’m not saying that the police will be able to do anything (he says you says syndrome) but not to report it gives your protagonist the feeling that he is in the right somehow. In some way he needs to be made to realise that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated - I’m sure he will lie through his back teeth that somehow you initial the situation in some way, brazen that out or he will forever remain the bully boy. You might be surprised that he has a track record of such actions that the police already know about.

Again helmet cams can help

Friend of mine did report to the Police, but they could / would not take action.

He then put posters along the route with a picture of the man and the Police phone number asking for witnesses.

6 women hikers walking shoulder to shoulder along a forestry road with a ditch on either side would not give way. I just stopped and they had to move to get past me muttering abuse as they did so. I just laughed at them and “ thank you ladies” . That probably hurt them more than any abuse I could give.

Barks wrote:If it was a deliberate barge you should have dialled 999 and reported an assualt and if you are not actually hurt feign an injury like rib or something that medics can’t challenge directly so that it gets some attention by the police. I’m not saying that the police will be able to do anything (he says you says syndrome) but not to report it gives your protagonist the feeling that he is in the right somehow. In some way he needs to be made to realise that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated - I’m sure he will lie through his back teeth that somehow you initial the situation in some way, brazen that out or he will forever remain the bully boy. You might be surprised that he has a track record of such actions that the police already know about.

ambodach wrote:6 women hikers walking shoulder to shoulder along a forestry road with a ditch on either side would not give way. I just stopped and they had to move to get past me muttering abuse as they did so. I just laughed at them and “ thank you ladies” . That probably hurt them more than any abuse I could give.

How stupid, exceptionallyI keep as far away from strangers as possible, walk on the right in the UK and single out if necessary

Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeonCycling-of course, but it is far better on a GillottWe love safety cameras, we love life

Barks wrote:If it was a deliberate barge you should have dialled 999 and reported an assualt and if you are not actually hurt feign an injury like rib or something that medics can’t challenge directly so that it gets some attention by the police. I’m not saying that the police will be able to do anything (he says you says syndrome) but not to report it gives your protagonist the feeling that he is in the right somehow. In some way he needs to be made to realise that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated - I’m sure he will lie through his back teeth that somehow you initial the situation in some way, brazen that out or he will forever remain the bully boy. You might be surprised that he has a track record of such actions that the police already know about.

No, you should not do this.

I agree entirely but then the indivivudaul should not be barging people people around and the police should be investigating alleged assaults. Barging into someone can very easily damage a rib cage even the individual not realising it at the time.

When I got flattened by a car 3 years ago, it fractured a vertebrae. The police were called and spent all their time consoling the poor distraught motorist who was in tears.A policeman said, poor lady is upset, she thought she had passed you when she did her turn, it could have happened to anybody, and that was it, no action taken, other than be being carted off in an ambulance. It would not give me much optimism if I had to ring them to complain about an assault.

I believe that these dog walkers do not want me or any cyclist there or maybe its just me

I also believe that the two cases, one of a car driving into me on a cycle path (also a single track road) and other of shoulder barge are connected as they probably speak to each other, same area.

But what to do except avoid the cycle paths altogether, then what's the point in having the cycle path.

When I am on a road I have been targeted by several cars driving within inches of my bars, same road and several mornings sometime twice in one week by same car

I now use the cycle path (wide 1M is that wide pavement) adjacent but only one way, for my own safety.Now I use an off road cycle paths and peds want to bully and verbally abuse me just because I am a cyclist.

Its depressing.................

If You Don't Try You Don't Do.....Don't Do You Don't Get...I'm Still Trying....Well Very..You'll Find Me At The Top Of A Hill...............Somewhere...After Dark..

Pop a camera on the bars... then carry on riding responsibly - take the lane, move early, give warning (the voice is a valid audible warning device)

A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way.No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.